Downtown Brooklyn Partnership Announces 2018 Summer Events

“Downtown Brooklyn Presents” features free concerts, outdoor movie screenings, BK Block Parties, ping pong tournaments, and exercise classes all season long

May 21, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(BROOKLYN) – Downtown Brooklyn Partnership (DBP) today announced the summer lineup for its 2018 events series, “Downtown Brooklyn Presents,” which celebrates the people and the plazas of one of the nation’s fastest growing downtowns.

This year’s series features exciting new events throughout downtown at Albee Square, MetroTech Commons, Willoughby Plaza, and the Plaza at 300 Ashland. All events are free and will run through September with the launch of Willoughby Walks, where DBP will partner with DOT to close several blocks of Willoughby Street on Thursdays for programming and safe play.

For the first time, the Plaza at 300 Ashland will open for a range of activities and programming this summer. Situated next to the recently opened Apple Downtown Brooklyn and Wholefoods 365 stores, the expansive plaza at Flatbush and Lafayette Avenues is at the heart of the Brooklyn Cultural District and provides a great stage for events.

Chelsea Piers Fitness will lead monthly high-intensity fitness classes at the new site starting this Monday to help mark the imminent launch of their new club in Downtown Brooklyn. Premier local cultural organizations, including Mark Morris Dance Group, TFANA, BRIC Arts Media, and BAM, will also be programming the space.

“The summer lineup in Downtown Brooklyn is packed with events ranging from ping pong tournaments to our fun-packed family parties and fitness classes,” said Downtown Brooklyn Partnership President Regina Myer. “We’re especially excited to have expanded Downtown Brooklyn Presents even further this year to reflect Downtown Brooklyn’s status as one of the most diverse, exciting and fastest growing communities in the country. This great series of events and programs really captures the vibrancy of our growing community.”

“We are thrilled to be joining the Downtown Brooklyn community and to be taking part in the active summer line up, alongside a number of iconic Brooklyn institutions,” said Keeth Smart, General Manager of Chelsea Piers Fitness Brooklyn. “It’s the best time of year to be outdoors and we hope Brooklynites stop by to take part in our summer fitness series, BKBurn.”

At the bucolic MetroTech Commons, DBP is partnering again this year with Forest City NY to present Summer @ MetroTech to the denizens of Downtown. 2017’s smash hit Ping Pong Happy Hours will return on Thursdays, along with fitness and meditation classes and live telecasts of the 2018 FIFA World Cup out on the lawn.

In partnership with City Point, DBP is also hosting the new fitness series “Downtown BKLYN Gets Physical” at Albee Square during May, featuring Yinsa Flow yoga, London sensation At Your Beat dance studio, and Dodge YMCA retro fitness. Outdoor movies will be coming to Albee Square on Thursdays in June, and BK Block Parties return over the summer for fun family activities on the Fulton Mall. 

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN PRESENTS 2018:

Downtown Brooklyn Gets Physical
Saturdays, May 5, 12, 19
9:00AM – 12:00PM
Albee Square
Fitness classes offered in partnership with City Point will be held on three consecutive Saturdays in May! DJ Mike-Doelo will provide the soundtrack for everyone to get physical with fun workouts each weekend.
9:00AM Yinsa Flow Yoga with Daniele Gates
10:00AM At Your Beat dance fitness
11:00AM Dance with the Dodge YMCA 

BKBurn with Chelsea Piers Fitness
Mondays, May 14, June 11, July 9, August 13, September 10, October 1
6:30 – 7:30PM
Plaza at 300 Ashland
Come chase the burn in this 45-minute, high-intensity interval training workout. This class is designed to sculpt your upper body, define your legs and glutes, and tighten your core. Using just your bodyweight, BKBurn combines strength exercises with short bursts of cardio intervals to give you a fantastic total body workout. This is a free event and all fitness levels are welcome.

BAM DanceAfrica Bazaar
May 26 – 28
Plaza at 300 Ashland
The nation’s largest African dance festival returns to BAM and Downtown Brooklyn for its 41st year. Visit the Plaza all weekend to experience the work of artisans and vendors.

Meditation Mondays @ MetroTech
Mondays, June 4 August 27
12:00PM – 12:30PM
MetroTech Commons
Instructors from the Vajradhara Meditation Center ease you into the week with lunchtime meditation.

Zumba with Dodge YMCA @ MetroTech
Tuesdays, June 5 – August 28
5:30-6:30PM
MetroTech Commons
In this 45-minute high-intensity workout, you take on the challenge and get results fast. All necessary exercise equipment supplied.

Yoga with Dodge YMCA @ MetroTech
Wednesdays, June 6 – August 29, 5:30 – 6:30PM
MetroTech Commons This low-impact workout will increase your fitness level – core strength, flexibility, stability, balance, and posture – as you move from one exercise to the next. All necessary exercise equipment supplied.

Sing for Hope Piano
June 6 – 25
Willoughby Plaza
Sing for Hope Pianos places artist-designed pianos throughout NYC’s parks and public spaces – including Downtown Brooklyn – for anyone and everyone to play!

BAM R&B Festival
Thursdays, June 7 – August 9
12:00PM
MetroTech Commons
The legendary lunchtime BAM R&B Festival returns to the Commons for its 24th season. An amazing lineup will be announced soon, so mark these dates on your calendar, grab your lunch and get dancing!

Ping Pong Happy Hours @ MetroTech
Thursdays, June 7 - July 26
5:00PM - 7:00PM
MetroTech Commons
Summer Thursday evenings in Downtown Brooklyn are about to get happy! Happy Hours @ MetroTech will feature friendly ping pong tournaments with The Push in June and July. DJs will set the soundtrack for the evenings. Get a glass of wine or a beer outdoors at La Defense and Luciano’s and enjoy the summer evenings in MetroTech.

Sports on the Commons
All summer long
MetroTech Commons
Come watch the summer’s hottest sporting events broadcast on the big screen. This year, the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia is certain to be a highlight. Stay tuned to downtownbrooklyn.com for more info.

Outdoor Movies @ Albee Square
Thursdays, June 7 – 28
6:30PM-9:00PM
Albee Square
Seating opens at 6:30PM, with music at 7:00PM and screenings at 8:00PM.

Broadway in the Boros
June 15, 12:00 - 1:00PM
Plaza at 300 Ashland
Come out and hear some of the best songs from hit Broadway musicals featuring current Broadway stars. Presented by the Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment.

Bastille Day Celebration
Saturday, July 14
10:30AM – 4:00PM
MetroTech Commons
A day-long Bastille Day celebration presented by La Defense, featuring Downtown Brooklyn’s own Petanque Tournament on professional-grade courts, plus food, live music, and fun for all.

BK Block Parties @ Albee Square
July – August, 1:00PM – 3:00PM
Albee Square Plaza
We’re back with our BK Block Parties! Kick off the day with music, giveaways, and fun for kids and adults alike. Then get some shopping done at Fulton Street Mall with our exclusive deals of the day.
July 28: Brooklyn Beach Blowout
Aug 25: Brooklyn Back to School Bash

Summer Salsa
Thursdays, August 2 - September 27
5:00PM-7:30PM
Willoughby Plaza
Our friends at Salsa Salsa Dance Studio will be back for our popular salsa nights. They’ll teach you the basics for the first hour, and then you practice your new moves to tunes spun by DJ John John Acevedo.

Willoughby Walks Thursdays, September 13, 20, 27
Willoughby Street, from Duffield Street to Willoughby Plaza
For three consecutive Thursdays, enjoy five blocks of a car-less Willoughby Street, opened up to offer unique and fun activities.